Baby Your Baby: Morning Sickness

(KUTV) Pregnancy comes with a number of challenges including weight gain, back pain, and fatigue. But for many women, morning sickness might be at the top of the list.

For new mom, Holly Hickenlooper, the dreaded morning sickness started early on.

“I think it was six weeks on the dot that I started feeling like this wave of nausea, and then it progressively just got worse and worse,” says Holly.

Holly isn’t alone. About 50-80% of women will get morning sickness. Most women will start feeling better after their first trimester, but for some, it can last longer.

“I think a misconception is that it’s just in the morning, when it can really last all day,” says Dr. Jono Gibson, with Intermountain Alta View Hospital.

There are some strategies to reduce morning sickness, and they begin before you’re even pregnant.

“Taking prenatal vitamins for several months before getting pregnant has actually been shown to reduce nausea when you do get pregnant,” says Dr. Gibson.

Once you’re pregnant, make a point to eat first thing in the morning and be sure to eat frequently. Eat a bland diet, high protein snacks, and avoid spicy and fatty foods. Don’t forget to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can also help manage morning sickness.

If you’re feeling sick, be sure to mention it to your doctor and talk about it because there are options available.

“There are medications we can use to help treat nausea and vomiting. A lot of women worry about taking medication while they’re pregnant, but there are plenty of safe options for them,” says Dr. Gibson.